Golf practicing device



Feb. 26, 1963 E. G. CUSHING 7 3,079,152

GOLF PRACTICING DEVICE Filed June 24, 1960 INVENTOR U65\/ 6. eas /N n gwMi wk ATTORNEYS Patented Feb. 26, 19%3 3,079,152 GGLF hRACTitIlNG DEVICEEugene Gilbert Cushing, 7201 Corregidor Road, Vancouver, Wash. FiledJune 24, 196i Ser. No. 33,572 1 Ciaini. (Cl. 273-35) This inventionrelates to a golf training device, and more particularly, to a device totrain a person to use the proper pivot for a sound golf swing.

The pivoting motion of the hips is one of the most difficult elements ofthe golf swing to learn. The development of the proper pivoting motionis an important step in progressing from the ranks of the high handicapgolfer to the status of a consistent par golfer.

One of the factors which makes it difficult to develop a proper pivotingmotion is that the golfer is insensitive to the position of his hipsduring the golf swing. He is unable to determine at any point in theswing whether his body is in the correct position. One popular method oftraining, is to take lessons from a golf instructor, who can observe andanalyze the golfers motion during the practice swing and recommend thecorrections that must be made. This method of training, however, isexpensive and the corrections are usually only temporary. An othermethod might be to practice the golf swing in front of a mirror. Thismethod is also unsatisfactory because the golfer cannot look at themirror and execute his usual golf swing at the same time.

Attempts have been made to develop golf training devices which areattached to the body of the golfer to restrict his movements to thedesired motions. These de vices are expensive, uncomfortable, and oftendo not indicate whether the golfer has actually mastered the properpivoting motion.

Accordingly, in view of the defects of the prior devices and methods, itis an object of this invention to provide a device for training a personin the development of a proper pivoting motion in his golf swing.

Another object of this invention is to provide a golf training devicewhich will not interfere with a person while he is executing his golfswing.

A further object of this invention is to provide a golf training devicewhich is of inexpensive construction, and yet, will serve as aneffective training device.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, an adjustable postis secured in a base. An open resilient ring is secured to the top ofthe post and extends horizontally outward therefrom. A bell warningdevice is attached to the ring. The ring is resilient so that the usercan spread the open end sufiic-iently to stand within the ring. The ringis adapted to be positioned about the hips of the golfer, but spacedslightly outward therefrom. If the golfer executes a proper pivotingmotion, his hips will not bump the ring, but if he swings or lungesduring the swing he will bump the ring, which will vibrate the bell towarn him of his incorrect hip movement.

This preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the golf training device;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the device; and

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the device.

Referring to FIG. 1, the golf training device is provided with a base 2.To provide additional stability for the base, anchor pins 4 at thecorners of the base, as shown in FIG. 3, extend through holes 6 in thebase 2. to engage the ground or other support.

A hollow post 3 is secured in the base 2 and extends upwardly therefrom,being telescoped into the open upper end thereof. A hollow tube 10 ofsmaller diameter than that of the inside of the post 3, is alsotelescoped within the post 8.

The tube 10 is provided with a series of holes 12 which extendtransversely through the tube 10. The post 8 is provided with a singletransverse hole 14. A set pin 16 extends through the hole 14 in the post8 and through one of the series of holes 12 in the tube 10. The set pin16 provides a means for adjusting the height of the tube Iii above thebase 2.

The upper end of the tube It? is provided with a transverse slot 18. Aring 243' is secured within the slot 18. It may be removably secured inthe slot by a close fit between the slot 18 and ring 2%, or it may besecured permanently in the slot 18 by welding.

The ring 26, as shown in FIG. 3 is an open ring with two end portions22. The ring 2% is formed of a deformable, resilient material, such asmetal or plastic, so that the end portions 22 may be spread apart toadiust to the size of the golfers hips. A hell 2% is attached to thering 28. Other types of warning devices may be used which will beactuated by the motion or vibration of the ring 2%.

To use the device, it is placed on the practice tee so that the base 2will rest evenly on the ground. The anchor pins 4 are driven into theground, if necessary, to prevent movement of the base. The set pin 16 isremoved from the post 8 so that the height of the post id may beadjusted. The ring 28 should be positioned at the height of the traineeships. After the proper height adjustment, the pin 16 is inserted throughthe hole 34 in the post 8 and through one of the holes 12 in the tubeiii to fix the height of the tube and of the ring 26?.

After the proper height adjustment has been made, the trainee positionshimself within the ring 2% to adjust the size of the ring. Since thering 2i) is made of a deformable material, the trainee can adjust thesize of the ring by spreading the end portions 22. The ring 2% should beadjusted so that it is spaced several inches from either side of thetrainee as he stands with his back to the post 8.

The trainee Will then be in a position to assume his usual stance inaddressing the ball. Since the ring 20 is spaced from the trainees hips,it will not interfere with his body movement during the golf swing. If,during his practice swing, the trainee lunges or moves from side toside, instead of executing the proper pivoting motion, his hips willbump against the ring 24 and the vibration will cause the bell 24 toring. The ringing bell, therefore, will indicate to the trainee that hedid not execute the proper pivoting motion during his practice swing.

It is apparent from the foregoing description, that the training devicewill be effective for indicating proper pivotal motion during the golfswing. Its simplicity of construction permits the training device to beconstructed inexpensively, so that practically all golfers will be ableto afiord one. As a further advantage the training device is positionedbehind the golfer so that it will not be a distraction to him while heis practicing his swing.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in oneembodiment, it is recognized that variations and changes may be madetherein, without departing from the invention as set forth in the claim.

I claim:

A device for teaching to a golfer the proper movement of his hips duringhis golf swing comprising a base, an upright support secured to the baseadjacent one edge of the base, a pair of substantially arcuate armsextend ing outwardly from the support and secured at one end of each tothe support, the opposite ends of the arms being separated anddisconnected from each other, said arms being formed of a firm, rigidmaterial capable of being readily bent to shape so as to embrace the hipportion of a golfer free and clear thereof and retaining the set of suchadjustment, providing a gauge for a proper golf swing, means foradjusting the arms vertically relatiye to the support to the height ofthe golfers hips and :to accommodate golfers of difierent heights, saidbase extending outwardly only on the side of the support opposite fromthat on which the arms extend.

720,406 Clifford Feb. 10, 1903 4 Remington Mar. 24, 1925 Shea Nov. 21,1933 Beil et a1. Aug. 31, 1943 Johnston May 3, 1949 Hara ..1 Sept. 23,1952 Newgren Oct. 5, 1954 Hara July 17, 1956

